welcome back to your desk
 
We are having a "green" theme this edition for 3 reasons. Firstly, as a memorial to all the Christmas trees that have now been packed away. Secondly, in honour of our very successful bushwalking adventure led by Duncan Chessell last November. Thirdly, as we are embarking on a campaign to make each and every website we produce carbon neutral. That's right, every website will result in enough subsequent tree planting to make it "green"! This is being arranged through 'Carbon Planet' and more information will be released in the coming months. We feel it's a positive way to start the new year.
 
All Deadline staff members are now back at work after a break over the festive season. Personally,
I enjoyed some time off in Queensland. Highlights were spending time with friends, seeing my daughter's look of wonder during the SpongeBob show at Dreamworld, and relaxing in the day spa at The Hyatt.
 
Now I'm ready for a big 2009 with lots of exciting projects to launch. Before I know it I'll be putting the Christmas tree up again. 
 


A word on what's ahead for Deadline from our Managing Director, Sean Heylen:
"As a downturn in the Australian economy looms, I'm regularly asked two questions by clients, suppliers and friends alike "How will all this affect your business?" and "What will you do if the work dries up?". So I suppose it makes sense to respond in this forum.

I don't know for sure how Deadline Media will be affected, but I do know that we have not noticed any significant decline in enquiries for our services over the last 3 months. This maybe because things have not flowed on here in our local economy properly yet, or they are not going to, or it could be that our services are now regarded as an essential part of the strategic marketing mix where once they were seen as "nice to have". No matter what, it is well known that organisations able to maintain their strategic marketing efforts during tough times are the ones that come out the other side ready for strong growth when things turn for the better. Also, now that the web is a proven performer as an efficient sales, marketing and communications channel and operational tool, I think it is possible that our sector will be relatively insulated from severe budget cuts.

Given the above, I think it is highly unlikely that "the work will dry up" as such. More likely is that excellent customer service, reliability, value for money and professionalism will be sought after. Deadline Media will do it's best to provide this and the only way to do that is to maintain our staffing levels and continue to invest in professional development and business infrastructure. I think it is likely that some of the less well run outfits in our industry will struggle and become no longer viable. When that happens, their clients will need someone to look after them. This represents an opportunity for solid and stable organisations with good fundamentals such as good internal systems and low debt, like Deadline Media.

We are not forecasting growth over the next 12 months, but equally we will not make decisions based on fear or general market negativity that is beaten up by the mass media. Good managers tend to make decisions based on facts, not feelings, and the fact is that right now our clients need us to stay solid and provide quality services. So, that is what we plan to do."

latest launches

Office of Problem Gambling HomepageOffice of Problem Gambling
 view site

Office of Problem Gambling was a project that Deadline Media tendered for through the South Australian Government Tender process. Our brief was to design the front end ‘look and feel’ in a way that would appeal to all ages in the community.
 
Key features of the new website include:
- online gambling calculator
- SA "help" location map
- information in a variety of languages
 
According to our client OPG, the new look website has had a huge amount of favourable feedback from its users and stakeholders.
Reservoir Wines
 
Its wine. Get over it.
 
That was the brief given to us by a new, boutique winery based in the Southern Vales.
 
No complicated descriptions or fancy labels,
but contemporary and eye-catching designs were required. Our talented design department conceptualised and illustrated the characters and then applied simple and bold styling.
 
Give Mr Red, Ms Blonde and Mr White a try at your next summer BBQ.
Cancer Council SA WebsiteCancer Council "online shop"
 view site
 
We were approached to build the National Cancer Council "online shop" as it had been reported to Cancer Australia that the SA shop offered great accessibility with easy to use menus and simple check out system.
 
The shop was built and launched in Nov 2008
in time for Christmas.
 
We have received excellent feedback on the National shop from both Cancer SA and Cancer Australia.
 
new clients

Bank of Queensland logoBank of Queensland
Deadline have been appointed by the Bank of Queensland’s Direct Channel team
to develop a Flash based interactive demonstration of their new mobile banking software. An exciting opportunity to showcase our creative talent and ability to develop a high quality cross platform application for a major corporate in the finance sector.
Adelaide Eye Care logo Adelaide Eye Care
This client is coordinating business expansion with a website redesign. An exciting new function of the website will allow patients to book eye appointments online, offering greater efficiencies for both customers and reception staff.
Boileau Business Solutions logoBoileau Business Solutions
A new physical business premises called for a new virtual shopfront as well!
The new Boileau website will be going live next month.
staff news
 
To celebrate 2008 we embarked upon a team-building exercise in November.
 
Meeting at the DCXP offices in Rundle St we were all suitably inspired to climb the peaks of Mount Lofty after a presentation from Duncan Chessell about his treks up Mount Everest.
 
We set off on a beautiful bushwalk. Just as I was starting to relax and enjoy the scenery out came the ropes and hard-hats. There were 3 choices: abseiling, rock climbing, go home. Everyone got involved and as you can see by the photo on the right, all were present, accounted for, and smiling at the end.
 
We finished up with dinner at The Summit Hotel. Thanks everyone for coming along and making it a day to remember.
Most of us in the office would agree that Louise (Account Manager) struggles to be scary - although she can be scarily bright and cheery in the morning. Early last year though she got involved in a really scary project, a local horror movie. Her various roles will no doubt see Oscar nominations in 2010 and at the very least a new pair of shoes for the walk down the red carpet. The movie is called 'Coffin Rock' and is due for Australian release in Feb and UK/US in April. More information is available at www.coffinrockthemovie.com.
Meanwhile, Timo (Senior Programmer) became a first-time Grand-dad on January 14 to beautiful baby Isabella. All is going well so far and the best part about being a Grand-dad according to Timo is "..., that we could walk out of the hospital at 5pm and go to the Nick Cave concert .. well that and being extremely in awe of the little munchkin :) .. it's about the closest you can get to the meaning of life .. it could very well be the meaning of life .."
case study by Vanessa Delbridge
 
Angas Prospectus CoverAngas Securities Limited is a long standing client of ours. We manage their communication needs, ranging from the creation of their logo to updates to their website and a monthly printed newsletter to annual printed materials such as their prospectus document. We have also played a key role in the website of subsidiaries of Angas like the API Home Loans website. A recent project we successfully completed for Angas has been a 56 page Prospectus for Redeemable Preference Shares.

The Project Brief:
Design a new prospectus document advertising the first series of Redeemable Preference Shares release by Angas Securities Limited.
It needs to appeal to the target audience who are a slightly younger demographic than their usual investors whilst retaining a strong corporate Angas brand and reinforce the firm and stable financial outlook Angas promotes. In addition to the prospectus, an Invitation for Placement brochure was required to promote the release of the shares.

Angas Prospectus Inside SpreadThe Result:
Deadline Media came up with a concept for imagery to be used throughout the document that would be visually pleasing and informative. Complex financial information is displayed in clear and easy to understand graphs and charts. Utilising photos and illustrations of clouds and soaring birds, gives the Prospectus a light feel, to what is traditionally a heavy topic. The corporate blue colour Angas is branded with features throughout the Prospectus. The Invitation for Placement brochure follows the strong visual feel of the Prospectus document. With a very similar and clear interior layout the Brochure promotes the Prospectus and invites the audience to take a closer look at the new investment opportunity.
 
Contact us to see a copy of the Prospectus and/or to find out about the design services we can offer you.

 

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